Wednesday, 24 April 2013

First of a series of reports from Holyrood - here Martin gives his take on the day

On Tuesday, I attended the Scottish Parliament with other members of Fans
Against Criminalisation. This trip to Edinburgh coincided with the day that the
justice committee were due to discuss the Offensive Behaviour at Football and
Threatening Communications Act - or the 'anti-football act' as it's become known
to some.

This was my second trip to the Parliament in recent years, the first being
with FAC in December 2011. The purpose of that trip was to voice our displeasure
at this bill as we believed it unfairly criminalised football fans, and felt
that Celtic fans in particular would suffer from this. As we all know, our fears
have been realised; and then some.

As a result, I wasn't really sure what to expect this time around. However,
I have to say I am feeling a lot more optimistic now. As the two SNP MSP's
answered questions and got involved in a lively debate with FAC members both
young and old(er), I was taken aback and encouraged at how this campaign seems
to be effecting them. They looked extremely uneasy, they contradicted one
another and on occasion, didn't make much sense. It was quite intriguing
watching them shift uncomfortably as articulate working class men and women
pressurised them in a calm manner over this poorly-scribbled piece of
legislation.

They were made aware, in no uncertain terms, that we will continue to fight
this and it is imperative that we, the Celtic support, do just that until this
Act is thrown out.

Here the FAC report into the policing of the Green Brigade corteo on 16/3/13 (based on witness statements collected by FAC) is handed over to the Shadow Justice Secretary, Lewis Macdonald MSP.